The increasingly competitive global landscape makes it more important than ever for us to have a deeper understanding of the unique challenges being faced by you, our valued partners.

Since it was launched in 2007, the job shadowing scheme has enabled individuals from the British Council to experience first-hand the working day and operating environment of colleagues at Education UK Partnership member institutions.

The initiative is aligned with our wider objective for continual improvement of the levels of customer service Partnership members receive and to hone the Partnership services to better reflect members' needs.

It also provides the participating member institutions with an opportunity to gain an insight into the roles within the Partnership team. The scheme has the potential to enhance working relations and stimulate discussion that feeds into joint strategies and future innovation.

The initiative includes all sectors – HE, FE and independent schools – and both large, established institutions, as well as smaller institutions with less experience of the international education market.

We ensure that, wherever possible, we complement the needs of the individual with the specifications of the institution in order for both sides to gain maximum benefit from the visit and to meet the following core objectives:

			understand customer needs
			gain an insight into the working style of the institution and the impact of our delivery
			build stronger relationships with institutions
			identify more effective use of Partnership services
			create a network of institutions and individuals to undertake further work
			feed this information back to British Council colleagues both in the UK and overseas
			provide professional development.

All attachments will link with a colleague who works on international recruitment within an institution.

We are delighted to have received support from all sectors of the Partnership representing a broad range of institutions.

A number of visits have taken place so far, including:

			HE:		Bath Spa University University of Bedfordshire Cardiff University University of Derby University of Essex Glasgow Caledonian University University of Leeds University of Leicester The University of Manchester The University of Nottingham Nottingham Trent University Open University Worldwide University of Sussex The University of York
			FE:		City College Plymouth Hartpury College Waltham College
			Independent boarding schools:		The Mount School

We are currently seeking further expressions of interest for members to take part in the scheme. Even if you have expressed interest in the past or hosted previous visits for us, please do get in touch by contacting the Education UK Partnership helpdesk.